How the Word Came  . . .  a HTLJ -- XWP crossover tale

 by Rielle and Jael

after "Darkness Rising" , on HTLJ,  after "Crusader" etc.  on XWP

Disclaimers: 

Hercules and Iolaus, Gabrielle and Xena and various other characters as presented here are the sole property of Pacific Renaissance Pictures and MCA Universal and no infringement of their copyright is intended in this work of fiction. In other words, we are playing in their backyard here and we are not making a single dinar from it.

In this work of fiction mention will be found of adult, consensual sexual relationships both cross gender and same gender. Those who find such matters offensive and those under 18 years of age, please read no further.

"So, we sailed home again." Hercules finished, sadly recounting his recent journeys. "There didn't seem much choice. That . . . demon is either on its way here, or is already here. The gods only know what kind of harm it will do, now. Actually, I'm not sure they do know."

"Or care." The bard queen responded, with a harsh tone that surprised him.

He turned to look at Gabrielle. Instead of the outpouring of grief he expected, saw a cold rage informing her features. "Why should they care? As long as this monster is still busy tormenting mortals, its not threatening them."

"Gabrielle, I wanted to be the one who let you know about Iolaus. I remember how much it helped to hear that Xena died, from a good friend, rather than a stranger." the demigod began, sitting down next to her. Then he realized the younger woman had more to say, much more.

"Hercules, I'm very grateful you brought this news yourself. It must be very hard, telling people over and over what happened to you, and to Iolaus in the past few months. I felt that way when we all were sure Xena had died, so I know.  But right now, I really only want to know one thing." She said, lifting her chin and looking him in the eye.

"Anything I can tell you, I will, Gabrielle." He agreed.

"Where do we go to destroy this monster; now that its taken a form we might stand a chance against?"

"Might stand a chance? Gabrielle, this is still Dahak. I'm trying to work out how it may be destroyed. I really don't have any idea yet. I didn't come here to bring you or Xena into this. . .debacle."

"Hercules,  you can't exclude us!" Gabrielle exclaimed, "Dahak started this horror with Xena and with me. We've been to Tartarus and back again because of it. Gods, Hercules, we almost lost each other because of it!" the bard's eyes sparked green fire as she warmed to her subject. "All that was bad enough, but we both lost our only children because of it! I thought that would call a halt to its evil. Instead, now you come to tell me that Iolaus gave his life trying to stop the demon, and he's been taken over by it. Do you think for a moment we would sit back, wail and tear our hair, and do nothing more?"

"Well, Gabrielle, I guess I wasn't sure. I know you cared deeply for Iolaus.

He knew it, too, I hope you realize that."

"Yes, thanks." Gabrielle nodded. "He was so very special, so gentle, so compassionate. He helped me so much when I felt all alone."

"Yeah," Hercules agreed. "that's when he helped me the most, too. Now its beginning to look like there's only one way left I can help him." The demigod shuddered and sighed, as if trying to move a huge weight off his shoulders. He looked at the Amazon and saw a more familiar look of compassion in her eyes. It was almost more than he could take. A sob choked him and he pulled his gaze away from hers. But she pulled at his chin so he was forced to look back.

"Hercules, I will help you anyway I can." Gabrielle told him in a quieter tone. "You know that. Right now, I think there's one way I can definitely help. For Iolaus' sake, will you let me try?"

Confused again, Hercules nodded.

"You've not taken much time to grieve for him, have you?" the bard asked.

"Well, that depends on how you mean. . ." Hercules stammered, chagrined by her depth of understanding. "I was furious the first time I left Sumeria,  insanely furious and . . . numb by turns. Then for a long time, I was mostly numb. But on this last journey, no, I hardly knew what to think or how to feel. I know this thing has to be destroyed as you say. What that will take . . ."

"Is not something that can be decided here and now." Gabrielle told him.

"Tonight, you're going to stay here, unless there's some reason you have to be on the road after darkfall.  And I'm going to tell you a story. . . "she seemed to manage a half-grin, which heartened Hercules greatly. "Yes, I said tell you a story. Why did you think I intended to keep you here, oh mighty son of Zeus? I'm not interested in 'getting lucky' this evening, are you?"

"Are you kidding?" Hercules felt the first genuine laughter in weeks rise in his throat. "Xena'd have my guts for gauntlets! So, you're going to tell me a story?"

"About a sad young Amazon princess who was bringing her best beloved's casket halfway across Greece to be buried in Thrace. She did this because, as she was breathing her last, her best beloved seemed to say she wanted to be buried in Amphipolis. Actually, her best beloved was probably saying she wanted to be honorably cremated and carried to Thrace in a proper urn. But the young and beautiful princess was far too grief stricken to understand. One evening like this, while this beautiful and gracious princess was still guiding the litter, holding her best beloved's casket, she went to the stream to get water for herself and her best beloved's mare. On the way she heard an odd sound, like someone rambling around in the bushes, pretending to be a crafty old hunter. She grabbed her amazon war staff and called out for whoever it was to show themselves. Lo and behold, it was five or six dangerous thugs, who were so evil they wanted to steal her best beloved's  casket for a bounty it might bring them. They tried their level best to frighten the brave young princess away from her sad burden. She bravely refused to move an inch. While fighting them off, the courageous princess was suddenly joined by a dauntless, flaxen haired warrior . . . . "

Hercules let himself relax against the log he'd found to sit on and sighed with a strange sense of comfort. This long winded bard was the Gabrielle he knew far better than the hard faced fighter his tale had first brought out. He didn't have to worry about her rushing off in the middle of the night to do what she thought was needful to destroy a demon. And one less worry right now, the demigod thought was a very, very good thing.